HEADLINES

Year: 2024

NFL’s 2022 Salary Cap To Reach $208.2MM

December 14th, 2021 at 6:58pm CST by Ely Allen

December 14th, 6:58pm: The NFL has officially informed clubs that the 2022 cap will indeed be projected at $208.2MM, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter).

December 5th, 3:02pm: Back in May, the NFL and NFL Players Association met in May and agreed to a salary cap for the 2022 season of $208.2MM. There was some speculation that the numbers may change based on a few different factors, and while the official, final number has not been announced, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report that it’s expected to be revealed at the NFL’s annual labor seminar next week that the cap will indeed reach the all-time high mark of $208.2MM.

The league’s previous high was in 2020 at $198.2MM. The cap had shown consistent growth each year with an average annual increase from 2013-2020 of $10.74MM per year. This trend was disrupted by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic which caused a loss of gate revenue and other income for the league. Because of those setbacks, the salary cap was reduced to $182.5MM for the 2021 season. The nearly $16MM cap reduction is not a complete reflection of the revenue lost by the NFL last year, since the NFL and NFLPA came to an agreement to spread out the anticipated losses over several years, as opposed to incurring it all at once.

The $10MM increase from the league’s previous high is about what the league expected the 2021 salary cap to rise to before the pandemic. This return to the expected increase doesn’t necessarily reflect a return to normalcy. It’s more of a sign of what may be to come as the losses from last year are already being offset by a potential increase in future revenue. The NFL is seeing, and will continue to see, an increase in revenue from the addition of a 17th game in the regular season, expanded playoffs, an influx of new gambling money, new TV deals, and many other new revenue streams.

It is even expected that the 2023 season will see another significant increase to the salary cap. The NFLPA is still recovering, paying back the league for what was essentially a low-interest loan that allowed players to continue making full salaries and bonuses last year, in addition to paying back players for benefits that were canceled in 2020, like performance-based pay, Pro Bowl pay, and tuition pay. But an increase is still to be expected when media “kickers” from the 2020 collective bargaining agreements are put into effect as money comes in from new TV deals. The “kickers” should increase the players’ share of revenue from 48% to as high as 48.8%.

The biggest takeaway from all of this should be that the moves and decisions made by both the league and the union show confidence that the league is done being affected financially by the global pandemic and that both sides are doing everything they can to protect the players from feeling that financial burden.

Cardinals Sign CB Breon Borders

December 14th, 2021 at 5:20pm CST by Ben Levine

Breon Borders is heading to Arizona. The Cardinals have signed the veteran cornerback off the Titans practice squad, reports Aaron Wilson (via Twitter).

The defensive back spent most of the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Titans organization. He started five of his six appearances in 2020, finishing with 27 tackles, five passes defended, and one interception.

After getting waived during the offseason, Borders re-signed with Arizona, and he’s spent much of the 2021 campaign bouncing between their active roster and the practice squad. In total, he’s seen time in 11 games this season, collecting five tackles. The 26-year-old played mostly on special teams this year, and he hasn’t played a defensive snap since late October.

Borders will presumably see a similar role in Arizona. Byron Murphy Jr., Robert Alford, Marco Wilson, and Antonio Hamilton seem to have secured their spots atop the depth chart. The organization also has Kevin Peterson and Jace Whittaker stashed on the practice squad.

Buccaneers To Place RB Giovani Bernard On IR

December 14th, 2021 at 3:15pm CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers have placed Giovani Bernard on the injured reserve list. This was the expected move after the running back suffered an MCL injury earlier this week.

Bernard is also dealing with a hip issue and both injuries will require some time off. Fortunately for the Bucs, they have enough backfield ammo to get by without him. Ronald Jones II and Leonard Fournette continue to lead the rushing attack while Ke’Shawn Vaughn is already on the roster to serve as the third RB. If they want a fourth, Darwin Thompson is available for promotion.

So far this year, Bernard has registered just eight carries for 58 yards, plus 23 catches for 123 yards and three touchdowns. Last year, he managed 47 catches for 355 yards and three receiving TDs with the Bengals — his best line since 2017.

The 10-3 Bucs face the Saints on Sunday night, a chance to formally clinch the NFC South.

Rams’ OBJ Tests Positive For COVID-19

December 14th, 2021 at 2:51pm CST by Zachary Links

Odell Beckham Jr. has tested positive for COVID-19, according to veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson (Twitter link). The wide receiver will be placed on the Rams’ COVID-19 list, which may prevent him from playing the Seahawks on Sunday. 

[RELATED: Chiefs Place C. Jones On COVID-19 List]

OBJ is just the latest in a slew of positive cases across the NFL. On Monday, an estimated 37 players were found to have COVID-19. Today, league sources are expecting upwards of 25 more positive tests (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com).

Unlike Chris Jones and Rashawn Slater, Beckham has time to clear COVID-19 protocols, pending his vaccination status and forthcoming test results. Beckham, 29, has appeared in four games since joining the Rams. So far, he’s got 15 catches for 204 yards and three touchdowns with his new team. Between that and his 17/232 line from the Browns, he’s registered 32 catches for 436 yards, and three scores so far this year. It’s all a far cry from his best work, but the Rams are hoping to see the old OBJ down the stretch.

Chiefs Place Chris Jones On COVID-19 List

December 14th, 2021 at 2:39pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chiefs have placed defensive lineman Chris Jones on the COVID-19 list, per an announcement from head coach Andy Reid. With their next game just two days away, this effectively rules Jones out for Thursday night’s matchup against the Chargers. 

[RELATED: Chargers Place Slater On COVID-19 List]

Through eleven games this year, Jones has seven sacks, 14 quarterback hits, and five pass breakups to his credit. His consistent pressure will be sorely missed this week, though the Chargers will also be shorthanded on the opposite side. Top left tackle Rashawn Slater has also been placed on the COVID-19 list with little chance of getting cleared before Thursday night.

The Chiefs furnished Jones with a four-year, $80MM extension before the 2020 season. He responded with his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod and 7.5 sacks, a strong return to kick off the new deal. Midway through his sixth season, Jones has amassed 47.5 sacks for the Chiefs despite spending much of that time on the interior.

A win on Sunday would put the Chiefs inches away from locking up the division. A loss, on the other hand, would leave the AFC West wide open for the Chargers.

Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller To Enter NFL Draft

December 14th, 2021 at 1:04pm CST by Zachary Links

Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller is going pro. On Tuesday, the promising running back announced that he’ll forgo his remaining eligibility to enter the 2022 NFL Draft (Twitter link).

“Thank you to the 12th man,” said the Aggie in his statement. “You are the best fans in the nation and the atmosphere and energy you bring to every game is second to none. You’ve embraced me and my family [and], therefore, we are forever grateful. It has been an honor to take the field and represent you.”

Spiller has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his last two seasons. In total, he leaves campus with 2,993 yards on the ground and 25 rushing touchdowns, plus 74 grabs for 585 yards and one receiving TD. Currently, Dane Brugler of the The Athletic has him slotted as the second-best running back in this year’s class, behind only Kenneth Walker of Michigan State.

Spiller will be joined in the NFL by defensive tackle DeMarvin Leal, a likely first-round pick.

Browns Place Eight Players On COVID-19 List

December 14th, 2021 at 12:52pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns could be seriously shorthanded for Saturday’s game against the Raiders. On Tuesday, the Browns placed wide receiver Jarvis Landry, right guard Wyatt Teller, tight end Austin Hooper, left tackle Jedrick Wills, defensive end Takkarist McKinley and guard Drew Forbes (on IR) on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Meanwhile, tight end Ross Travis and return man JoJo Natson have been placed on the practice squad COVID list. 

[RELATED: Chargers’ Slater Placed On COVID-19 List]

All eight players have tested positive for the virus (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero), putting their availability in doubt. Still, as of this writing, the game is still slated to go ahead as planned on Saturday (Twitter link).

On Monday alone, 36 NFL players — including Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater — were placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list. Since then, the league has issued a memo requiring booster shots for all Tier 1 and 2 staff by Dec. 27. While players are not required to be vaccinated, coaches and trainers fall within Tier 1.

The Browns were already down three players on Sunday, including tight end David Njoku, thanks to the reserve/COVID-19 designation. Despite that, they still managed to beat the Ravens and advance to 7-6 on the year.

Minor NFL Transactions:  12/14/21

December 14th, 2021 at 12:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Washington Football Team

Washington To Sign Nate Orchard

December 14th, 2021 at 11:18am CST by Zachary Links

The Washington Football Team will sign linebacker Nate Orchard, according to agent Kenny Zuckerman (Twitter link). Plucked from the Packers’ practice squad, Orchard will have a chance to see his first live action of 2021.

[RELATED: Torn ACL For WFT’s Logan Thomas]

The veteran will provide depth after defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, defensive lineman James Smith-Williams, and defensive ends Montez Sweat and Casey Toohill were placed on the COVID-19 list. It remains to be seen whether they’ll be cleared in time for Washington’s Week 15 matchup against the Eagles.

Orchard, a 2015 second-round pick of the Browns, lived up to his draft stock as a rookie, finishing with three sacks and four QB hits. Unfortunately, he spent most of his sophomore campaign on IR and fell to a backup role in 2017 before being released prior to the 2018 season. Since then, he’s made the rounds, spending time with the Bills, Chiefs, Seahawks, Dolphins, Texans, and Washington.

Orchard appeared in eight games for WFT over the last two years, collecting 16 stops and one sack.

Jaguars Owner Shad Khan On Urban Meyer

December 14th, 2021 at 9:30am CST by Zachary Links

Jaguars owner Shad Khan isn’t happy with the current state of the team. Still, he says that he won’t rush to make any decisions on the future of head coach Urban Meyer. 

[RELATED: Khan Meets With Jags Coaches]

“I want to do the right thing for the team. I want to do the right thing for the city,” Khan said (via ESPN.com). “That, to me, is way more important than just acting helter-skelter on emotion. I think we have a history of really looking at the facts and then really doing the right thing.

“Gus Bradley was here four years. Doug Marrone was here four years. It was wins and losses and this is a little bit different but, you know, I’m going to reflect on all of that and do what’s the right thing for the team and the right thing for the city.”

The Jaguars are 2-11 after getting shut out by the Titans for their fifth straight loss. Earlier this week, Khan met with coaches to reaffirm his confidence in them while imploring them to get the locker room in order. This comes after a string of reports citing discord between Meyer, his assistants, and several veterans on the roster.

“I’m not impulsive,” Khan told reporters. “I learned that a long time ago with anything that’s this important. You don’t want to be impulsive. You want to look at exactly what I know firsthand or people are telling me and then collect that and do the right thing.”

The Jaguars will look to get back in the win column on Sunday against the Texans. They last met in the season opener, a 37-21 win for Houston.

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